OLD boys Steve Carter and Marc Thomas are returning to Nuneaton next season.

Former captains of the Liberty Way club, both retired from playing at the end of the 1999-2000 campaign - when full-back Thomas was leading points scorer and No.8 Carter top of the try list - but are coming back to help coach the under-19 colts.

"We can't think of anyone with a better pedigree and it will bring a new dimension to the colts set up," said Nuns official Dave Warden.

"We take colts rugby extremely seriously at Nuneaton - at one time last season ten of the 15 play-ers on the park playing in our first team were ex-mini and junior play-ers, and we realise that the life of the club is in the younger players coming through.

"Steve and Marc are both ex-club captains and are both schoolteachers, and with their experience we are sure they will do an excellent job."

The colts will be managed by Jez Simpson, whose under-17 side from last season are moving up an age group, with assistance from Bill Neale, Gary Cotterill and Steve Maddison.

Nuns have set their stall out to go for the National Division Three North title and promotion at senior level.

"Last year we said we wanted to finish in the top five and achieved that, and this time with the continuity of Chris Tarbuck staying on as director of rugby abd coach we believe it is the season to push on," said Warden.

Meanwhile Nuns are looking at the best ways of maximising their 54-acre site and have formed a development committee - comprising Warden, Tarbuck, former chairman Andy Ambrose, Joe Roseblade and Geoff Trew - with a first target of raising #50,000 towards a clubhouse extension.

Annual subscriptions will carry a development fund fee starting at a minimum of #5.